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Taylor proved his worth when he battered trash-talker Ohara Davies inside seven rounds earlier this year and his burgeoning reputation only continues to grow after Saturday's watershed performance.

He's only 26, punches hard and the Prestonpans native has a loyal fanbase who would love nothing more than to follow him to Las Vegas for world title fights. Taylor is that good and he looks destined for the very top.

He's promoted by Barry McGuigan and has enjoyed national exposure with his most recent fights being screened on Channel 5. He also has more freedom in terms of potential opponents since he's not tied down to the likes of Matchroom or Frank Warren promotions. The world is his oyster.

Josh Taylor with trainer Shane and manager Barry McGuigan

Josh Taylor is a star on the rise

The former Olympian has all the tools to reach the top and if he can sharpen up his defence then he'll have everything needed to go toe-to-toe with the best fighters on the planet.

Light-welterweight has some good fighters, but division kingpin Terence Crawford is heading to up to welterweight and that will open up chances for the others.

Record Sport Online looks at five potential foes for his first fight in 2018.

Jack Catterall

Jack Catterall is unbeaten and holds the British title

The most obvious fight to make. The 24-year-old Chorley boxer continued his unbeaten career with a comprehensive win against Tyrone Nurse as he captured the British title. He's one of Warren's emerging stars and it would be a huge gamble to throw him in with Taylor as he still appears to be perfecting his craft.

All-British fights have become popular in recent years and this would be a belter. Catterall would likely be the underdog, but he appears to be a fighter who can raise his levels when he has to. He's aggressive and wouldn't take a backwards step which suits Taylor's style perfectly. These two couldn't fail to provide fireworks and a win for Taylor would legitimise him as Britain's best at 140 lbs before he moves on to world level.

Ismael Barroso

Ismael Barroso came up short against Anthony Crolla (Image: PA)

This could well be a perfect bit of matchmaking from Cyclone Promotions. Barroso has power in his gloves and he's scored a knockout in 19 of his 20 wins. He ended the career of Kevin Mitchell in 2015 before he was stopped by Anthony Crolla. The Venezuelan is a danger man, but he's reckless and you would fancy Taylor's body work to yield the same results which led to Crolla's seventh-round stoppage.

Taylor's habit for staying in the pocket to get his own shots off would allow Barroso his only route to victory, but the Edinburgh favourite is so popular because he's willing to fight fire with fire. This could be a classic, but it could also be a hairy night.

Anthony Yigit

Anthony Yigit is the European kingpin

A likely opponent for Taylor as Yigit faces Clyclone stablemate Joe Hughes next month. Yigit isn't a huge puncher, but he's proved himself as the best on the Continent with a host of impressive wins.

He's a functional fighter who has been better than what has been put in front of him. Taylor is on a different planet than the likes of recent victims Lenny Daws and Sandor Martin. Becoming a European champion in only his 12th fight would be a stunning achivement.

Felix Diaz

Felix Diaz would be a serious scalp

How about this for a scalp? Diaz is no mug and the Dominican Olympic gold medalist has only lost to Lamont Peterson and the peerless Crawford since turning over on to the professional ranks. He's not a power puncher, but his slick boxing skills caused Peterson some real issues before the American eked out a majority decision. He doesn't hold a belt and would be a risky fighter to take on, but Taylor is racing through the levels and a win over over one of the stars of the 2008 Games would be a serious scalp.

Ricky Burns

Ricky Burns is nearing the end, but a Scottish superfight still appeals

The passing of the torch in British boxing. Ricky Burns has enjoyed a phenomenal career, but the former three-weight world champion is nearing the end. The Coatbridge favourite is still as fit as a butcher's dog, but he's lost five times since 2014 and just hasn't been able to rediscover the form which led him to wins over the likes of Roman Martinez and Michael Katsidis.

Taylor would be the big favourite and he would have the opportunity to be the first man to stop the granite-chinned Burns for the time in his career. Burns remains a key part of Eddie Hearn's stable and a loss against Taylor could well be the end of the road for the man who has carried Scottish boxing on his shoulders over the past eight years.